Apparatus for melting snow.



J. B. DHOMERGUE. APPARATUS FOR MELTING snow.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 9' 1908.

9 o um 1 R Am o MM E pE V/ 9 m S 4 d2 6 u 4 m QH m HI I l l'I I J. B. DHOMERGUE. APBARATUSTOR MELTING SNOW. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 9. 1908.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

I INVENTOR Patented Sept. 14. 1909.

To all whom it may concern:

' like parts in each UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN B. nnomnneun, or rurrsBUnmPEnnsYLvANm.

" APPAiRA'lUS r013. mum snow;

Specification of Letters Patent. 2 Patented Sept. 14:, 1909.

Be it known that I, J oH'NB. nH'oiunncon,

a resident of Pittsburg, in the county of A legheny and State of Pennsylvania, have mvented a new and useful Improvement in Apparatus for Melting Snow; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to apparatus for melting snow such an apparatus for use in melting the snow as collected from streets, highways, etc.

' The main object of my invention 1s to provide a cheap, simple and eflicient apparatus for melting snow as it is collected, so that the .snow canbe easily and rapidly melted, and the water converted therefrom can be collected and afterwardvdischarged and leading .10 hungfrom the frame 1, are the two furfrom the apparatus at the place desired,

A further object of the invention is to SHOW during the movement of -ingthese devices.

My invention consists, generally stated, in

the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts, as hereinafter more specifically ticularly pointed out 'in the claims.

To enable others skilled in the. art to which my invention appertains to construct and use my improved aplparatus for-melting snow, I will describe vt e same more fully, referring to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a a paratus for me ting snow. Fig.2 is a longitudinal section of the same and showing some of the parts in full lines. Fig. 3 is an enlar ed cross-section on the line 3-3. Fig. 2, 100 ing in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 4 is a like view on the line 44 Fig. 2, looki ing in the direction. of the arrow. Fig. 5 is a a detail section of the scraper em loyed. Fig. (3 is an end view of a ortion o the scraper.

Like symbols of reference herein indicate of the figures of the drawings.

As illustrated .in the drawings, my improved 1p aratus for melting snow is shown as applie to a motor vehicle by being mounted upon the frame 1 of the same and formed of the melter 2, which consists j of two revolving members 3, each set at an incline, and substantially on a horizontal said shell.

and has special reference to set forth and described and par- I lan view of my improved Application filed September 9, 1908. Serial No. 452,194.

plane to and parallel-with each other. The members 3 are cylindrical inshape and each formed of a screen 4, bers is revolubly mounted within an inclosing'shell (i, which is set at the same incline as its contained member and eaeh'of said mem- 3, and is adapted to form a chamber 7 between its members 3 and The members 3 are supported within'the chambers 7 by means. of rollers 8 mounted in said chambers and are adapted angle shaped bands or tracks said members.

the members 3 are a series of shelves 9 which to engage with 8' formed around are preferably in the form of angle bars for projecting'toward the center of said members and ,run parallel with the length of the same. 7

Connected to the rear end of the shell 6 up to the same from a platform naces 11, each of which opens into a member 3 and is provided with a charging door 12 at its rear. The shell 6 and furnace 11 are incased by an outer shell 13 for forming an inclosing chamber 14, within which any suitable non-conducting material 15 is placed, and-connecting with the chamber 7 and at the forward end of the same is the stack 16 which extends through said shells Gand 13 and permits the products of combustion from the furnace 11 v to escape from said chamber into the open air.

Mounted on the frame 1 and connecting with" the lower end of the chambers 7 by the pasageways 17 is the water tank mg from thebottom of said tank is the escape pipe 19, which isopened and closed by a plug 20 engaging with a seat 21 therein, and is operated by means of a rod 22 con.- nected thereto and to alever 23 extending forward ofthe apparatus and within reach of the operators seat, as hereinafter described. Adjacent t of the passageways 7 ing plate 24, which leads up chambers 7 to the lower en 1 the lower end of-each 7 is an inclined deflect through the of the members'3 and forms part of an inclined chute 25 leading from each. of said chambers and through the shells 6 and 13', so that any small stone's, pebbles or other foreign matter can pass dlrectly from the said members to 'the street without being lodged in the I tank 18. The forward ends 5 of the members 3 are imperforate and extend-loosely through the forward ends 6 of the shell fi and each is WVithin 18, and lead- V provided with a rack 26 around the same,

so that the gear-wheels 27 can mesh with the same; Meshing with the gear-wheels 27 is a gear-wheel 28, which is carried on and by a shaft 29 mounted in bearings 30 on a standard 30 extending up from the frame '1 and is operated from the usual driving engine or motora on the frame 1 for the 7 vehicle, in any suitable manner, such as by connectingsaid en ine or motor with a pulley 31 on said shai t.

Leading into the front end of each of the members 3 is an inclined chute 32 which'extends underthe hoods 33' formed on the 5 casings 33 of the two conveying or elevating devices, consisting of the ordinary formof a conveyer having an, endless belt 34 mounted in said casing and provided with buckets 35 extending out from the same. The conveyers are set at an incline and at a downward and outward angle toward the front of the vehicle, so as to extend bel w the frame -1 of the same at its lower en and its belt 34 asses around shafts 36 at the upper and ower ends of the same. Any suitable means, such as a sprocket wheel 37 can be connected to each of the upper shafts 36 for operating the said conveyers, and these wheels connected through the usual means with the engine or motor a, such as by the chain. 38 and s rocket wheel 39,

shown in dotted lines in ig. 1.

Projecting down and hung from the frame 1 1 is the scraping device 40, which consists of the inclined trough 41 hung by a chain 42 from the front end of thes'aid frame and provided with the two wedge-shaped side portions 43 thereon. These side portions 43 are pivoted or hinged at their upper rear ends to a support 44 extending down fromthe frame 1, as at 45, andsuch ends open into the open sides 33" of the conveyer casings 33. A series of scrapers 46 are pivotally connected to'the forward'end of the trough 41, as at 47, and a bridge plate 48 is also pivoted on eachof said scrapers and on the pivot pins 47 for extending over and hearing on the lower end of the trough 4 1. A flexible hinge strip 49, preferably formed 50 of leather or rubber connects each of the scrapers 46 with the lower end of the trou h 41 by fitting within a slot 50 in the said scrapers and in a recessor seat 51 in the lower end of saidtrough, such strip being -'held in place by a plate 52 secured over the same'and fitting within said seat, The

scrapers 46 are also provided with the flanges 53 extending u from each side of the same andbeyond t e scrapin edge 46 1 6 of said scrapers to form the beve faces 53 for cuttin through the snow and allow the same to s ide over any obstructions in the street, as well as allowing the scra ing edges 46 on said scrapers to be lifted ciear of the same. The inner or upper ends of said scrapers extend under the lower end of the trough 41, as at 54, in orderto assist the bridge plates 48 in holding said scrapers inv positlon for operating and provide for any obstructions on the street by the lifting of said scrapers through the flexible connecting hinge strip 49.

The operation of my improved a aratus for melting snow is as follows: \g i th the engine a started to propel the vehicle and with the revolving members 3-a11d the belts 34 of the conveyers operating from said engine, the snow on the street is scraped up onto the trough 41 by the scrapers 46 engaging with the same, while said vehicle is mov ing along,,and, suchsnow will then slide a up the side portions 43 of said trough and into the casings 33 of said conveyers through the side openings 33" therein. After the snow isthus carried into the conveyors, the buckets 35 on the belts 34 therein will carry the same up the conveyers and discharge the same into the front ends of the'revolving members 3 of the melter 2, through the inclined chutes 32, where it is to be melted by the flames from the furnaces '11 at the rear of said members and entering the rear ends of said members' As soon asthe snow is thus dumped into the revolving members 3 'it is carried up and to nearly a vertical position to support it on said members by the shelves 9 on the interior of the same when it slips off and falls to the bottom of the members so that in falling it will thus pass through and be brought into contact with the heat from the furnaces 11 in said members and be rapidly melted, and the water formed from sald snow by being thus melted, will pass through the screen 4 on said membersand into the chambers 7, after which itwill pass from said chambers down through the passageways l7 and into the tank 18 where it is collected. When a' sufficient amount of water has been collected int-he tank 18, it can be discharged or emptied therefrom at any time by the operator moving down on the lever 23, which through the 7 rod 22, will raise the plug 20 from its seat 21 and allow the water to pass from said tank through the esca e pipe 19 into the sewer or other place esired. At the for ward end of the frame 1 and as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, the usual parts of the motor vehicle are provided, such as the radiator 55'and' operators seat 56, adjacent.

'to which are the usual steering and operating devices 57 for the vehicle, and as shown in said figure, the plug operating lever 23 is placed within easy reach of said seat, as well as the other means, (not shown) for operatingthe revolvin members 3 and snow elevating devices. t will thus be seen that m improved apparatus for melting snow wil provide forthe rapid melting of the same by the direct heat of a furnace, and the chain- 130 i bers and revolving members being on an incline, will rapidlycarry the water from the melted snow to the outlet and point of delivery. The snow being delivered at the higher-or forward end of the revolving members must in being lifted back' of the perpendicular by the shelves therein, descend in falling to a point rearward of that from whence it started, and in this manner work its way toward the furnaces, and will be melting all the time. In case of the snow sliding too much within the revolving members, suitable obstructions can be placed around the periphery of the same and spaced apart in order to 'act as stops for said snow. By thecollecting and feeding of the snow to the melter through the'scraping and conveyer devices, the snow will be fed continuously to the melter, but it is evident that such melter can be used separately from either or both such devices, and without being attached to a motor or other vehicle, by taking the snow direct from wagons or a receiving platform which has been previously supplied with snow in any suitable manner. Various other modifications and changes in the construction and operation of my improved apparatus for-melting snow may be resorted to without departi from the spirit of the invention or sacri its advantages. The device can be used in removing and melting snow from steam, electric" or other railroads and from streets, pavements or roadways, as Well as from side-walks and other places where snow may accumulate,

while it isevident that the apparatus may be mountedon any suitable vehicle and propelled by horses-or other suitable power. The apparatus will also permit the storage water to be dispensed with, in which case the water resulting snow may be allowed to run into the gutter by the side f the road or street and thus 'be permitted tp run ofi in the usual manner. By the use of this apparatus in cities, the streets, alleys, pavements, highways, etc., can have the snow removed therefrom and melted in a very short time and without the employment of the great number of men and wagons usually engaged by cheapening the cost very greatly for this kind of work and enabling traflic and comfort to be had rapidly and conveniently.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an apparatus for melting snow, the

- combination ofia furnace, a chamber, and a revoluble member within said chamber to lift the snow to be melted by the products of combustion from said furnace.

2. In an apparatus for melting snow, the combination of a furnace, a chamber, and'a revoluble member within said chamber and opening into said furnace forreceiving the cing any of from the melting of the opening into said furnace snow to be melted by the products of com-' bustion from said furnace, and gearing 1 in such work, theresnow to be melted' by the products of combustion from said furnace.

3. In an apparatusfor melting snow, the

combination of a inclined revoluble member within said chamber and opening into said furnace for receiving the snow to be melted by combustion from said furnace.

4. In an apparatus for melting, snow, the combination of a furnace, a chamber, and a revoluble member supported by rollers within said chamber and opening into said furnace for receiving the snow to be melted by the products of combustion from said' furnace.

5. In an apparatus for combination of a furnace, a chamber, and a revoluble member formed of a cylindrical screen within said chamber. and opening into said furnace for receiving the snow .to be melted by the products of. combustion from said furnace.

6. In an apparatus for melting snow, the combination of a furnace, a'chamber, a revoluble member within said chamber and opening into said furnace for receiving the snow to be melted by the products of com-- bustion, and means within said chamber'for permittin the discharge of articles from said mem er.

melting snow, the

7. In an apparatus for melting snow, the" combination of a furnace,

a chamber, a revscreen within said chaminto said furnace for receiving the snow to be melted by the products of combustion from said furnace, and a chute in said chamber and at the end of said screen for permitting the discharge of articles therefrom.

' '8. In an apparatus for melting snow, the combination ofa furnace, a chamber, a revoluble member within said chamber and opening into said furnace for-receiving the snow to be melted by the products of com bustion from said furnace, and means connected to said member for revolving the same. i

9. In an apparatus for melting snow, the combination of a furnace, a chamber, a revoluble member within said chamber and for receiving the oluble cylindrical her and opening mechanism connected to said me er. for revolving the same. i

10. :In an'ap aratus for melting snow, the combination 0 a furnace, a chamber, a revoluble member within said chamber and opening mto said furnace for receiving. the

snow to be melted by the-products ofcombustion from said furnace and having one end extending through said chamber, and means connected to said end for revolving said member. 11. In an apparatus for melting snow, the

furnace, a chamber, and an the products of ing means.

combination of a furnace, a chamber, a revcombination of a furnace, a chamber, a revoluble member Within said chamber and opening into said furnace for receiving the snow to be melted by the products of combustion from said furnace and having one end extending through said chamber, and gearing mechanism connected to said end for revolving said member.

12. In an ap aratus for melting snow, the combination 0 a furnace, a chamber, a revoluble member Within said chamber and opening into said furnace for receiving the snow to be melted by the products of combustion from said furnace, and. means for feeding the snow to said member.

13. In an apparatus for melting snow, the combination of a furnace, a chamber, a revoluble member within said chamber and opening into said furnace for receiving the snow to be melted by the products of combustion from said furnace, and an endless 1gonveyer for feeding the snow to said mem- 14. In an apparatus for melting snow, the

oluble member- Within said chamber and opening into saidfurnace for receiving the snow to be melted by the products of combustion from said furnace, means for feeding the snowto said member, and meansfor collecting the snow for said feeding means. 15. In an apparatus for melting snow, the combination of a furnace, a chamber, a revoluble member Within said chamber and opening into said furnace for receiving the snow to be melted by the products of combustion from said furnace, and a scraping means for collecting the snow for said feed- 16. In an apparatus for melting snow, the combination with a vehicle or other frame, of a furnace and chamber on said frame,a revoluble member in said chamber and opening into said furnace for receiving the snow to be melted by the products of combustion from said furnace, and a tank on said frame for receiving the melted snow Water from said chamber.

17. In an apparatus for melting snow, the combination with a vehicle or other frame, of a furnace and chamber on said frame, a revoluble member in said chamber and opening into said furnace for receiving the snow to be melted by the products of combustion from said furnace, a tank on said frame for receiving the melted snow Water from said chamber, and a plug in said tank having a rod connected thereto and to a lever for op-.' erating the same to discharge the Water from said tank.

18. In an apparatus for melting snow, the combination with a-vehicle or other frame, a furnace and a chamber on said frame, a revoluble member in said chamber and opening into said furnace for receiving the snow to be melted by the products of combustion from said furnace, and means on said frame and connected to said member forrevolving revoluble member in said chamber and opening into said furnace for receiving the snow to be melted by the 'products'of combustion from said furnace, and gearing mechanism on said frame and connected to "said member for revolving the same.

20. In an apparatus for melting snow, the.

combination with a vehicle or other frame,'a furnace and chamber luble member n sa1d chamber and opening into sa1d furnace for receiving the snow to be melted by the products ofcombustion from said furnace and havingone': endextending through said chamber, and means on said frame and connected to said end for revolving said member.

21. In an apparatus for melting snow, the combination with a vehicle or other .frame, a furnace and chamber on said frame, a revoluble member in said chamber and opening into said furnace for receivin the snow to I be melted by the products of combination from said furnace and having one endextending through said chamber, and gearing mechanism on said frame and connected to said end for revolving said member.

22. In an apparatus for melting snow, the combination With a vehicle or other frame, a furnace and a chamber on saidframe, a revoluble member in said chamber and opening into said furnace for receiving the snow to be melted by the products of combustion from-said furnace, means on said frame for revolving said member, and means on said frame for feeding the snow to said member.

23. In an apparatus for melting snow, the combination with a vehicle or other frame, a furnace and a chamber on said frame, a revoluble member in said chamber and opening into said furnace for receiving the snow to be melted by the products,of combustionfrom said furnace, means on said frame for revolving said member, and endless conveyer on said frame for feeding the snow to said member. I

24. In-an apparatus for melting snow, the combination With a vehicle frame, a furnace and a chamber on said frame, a revoluble member in said chamber and opening into said furnace for receiving the snow to be melted by the products of combustion from said furnace, means on said frame for revolving said member, means on said frame for feeding the snow to said member, and means on said frame for collecting the snow for saidfeeding means.

, 25. In an apparatus for melting snow, the combination with a vehicle frame, a furnace on said frame, a revoand a chamber on said frame, a revoluble member in said chamber and opening into said furnacefor receiving the snow to be melted by the products of combustion from said furnace, means on said frame for revolving said member, means on said frame for feeding the snow to said member, and scraping means on said frame for collecting the snow for said feeding means. i

26. In an apparatus for melting snow, the combination with a vehicle frame, a furnace and a chamber on said frame, a revoluble member in said chamber and opening into said furnace for receiving the snow to be melted by the products of combustion from said furnace, means on said frame for revolving said member, means on said frame for feeding the snow to said member, and a pivoted scraping device hung from. said frame for delivering the snow to said feeding means.

27. In an apparatus for melting snow, the combination With a vehicle frame, a furnace and a chamber on said frame, a revoluble member in said chamber and opening into said furnace for receiving the snow to be melted by the products of combustion from said furnace, means on said frame for revolving said member, means on said frame for feeding the snow to said member, and a hinged trough hung from said frame and having hinged scrapers-connected thereto for delivering the snow to said feeding means.

28. In an apparatus for melting snow, the combination with a vehicle frame, a furnace and a chamber on said frame, a revoluble member in said chamber and opening into said furnace for receiving the snow to be melted by the products of combustion from said furnace, means on said frame for feeding the snow to said member, and a hinged trough hung from said frame and having hinged scrapers flexibly connected thereto for delivering the snow to said feeding means;

29. In an apparatus for melting snow, the combination with a vehicle frame, a furnace and a chamber on said frame, arevoluble member in said chamber and opening into said furnace for receiving the snow to be melted by the products of combustion from said furnace, means on said frame for feeding the snow to said member, a hinged trough hung from said frame and having hinged scrapers flexibly connected thereto for delivering the snow to said feeding means, and flanges on said scrapers and extending in front of the scraping edges of the same for cutting the snow.

30. A device forstreets, etc. consisting of a trough, and a series of hinged scrapers flexibly connected to said trough. 31. A'device for scraping streets, etc. consisting of a trough, a series of hinged scrapers flexibly connected to said trough, and cutting flangeson said scrapers and extending in front of the scraping edges of the same.

In testimony whereof, I,the said JOHN B. DHoMERGUE, have hereunto set In hand.

7 1 JOHN B. DHOM RGUE.

Witnesses:

' JAMES L. WEHN, J. N. COOKE. 

